15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 1

Grammar Chartres

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 2

RhetoricBorgia’s apartment

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 3

SocratesDialectic

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 4

The Trivium

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 5

Francis Bacon’s Trivium (tradition):

Grammar = Organ: speech, gesture, words.Dialectic = Method: Empirical logic, argument to

secure reason (avoid abstractions. inductive).Rhetoric = Illustration: Filling imagination with

reason, adapting communication for the audience.

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 6

Dorothy L Sayer’s Trivium:

Grammar = Poll Parrot (KS2) Learn Latin, English verse & prose, Facts of history, geography, science, maths, theology.

Dialectic = Pert (KS3) Debate, drama, syllogisms, algebra, geometry, ethics, imagination

Rhetoric = Poetic (KS4) Interrelatedness of knowledge.

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 7

CS Peirce’s Trivium:

Grammar = Speculative Grammar:Dialectic = Logical Critic: further divided into

‘scientific thinking’: abduction, induction, deduction.

(relationship between grammar & critic = creativity where tradition meets modernity)

Rhetoric = Speculative Rhetoric: The master art.

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 8

Karl Popper’s ‘Trivium’ Fallibilism:

Grammar = ConjectureDialectic = CritiqueRhetoric = Conjecture

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 9

Marshall McLuhan’s Trivium:

Grammar = ‘Art of interpreting all phenomena’: Connectivity, investigating ideas, principles, nature, conduct.

Dialectic = Testing evidence, study of proofs of argument, dialogue, logic.

Rhetoric = Communicating, building myths for our ‘zeit’, building the zeitgeist connecting in the global village

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 10

The Trivium is an Art in itself:

The Trivium, being the basis of the liberal arts, is open ended.

You start with the rules, precepts and foundational knowledge.

Grammar

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 11

The Trivium is an Art in itself:

You then develop your own thinking and ideas in collusion, collaboration, or conflict with the knowledge you are exploring.

Dialectic.

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 12

The Trivium is an Art in itself:

You then learn to express your ideas in a variety of ways.

Rhetoric.

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 13

The Trivium

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 14

Those to whom the trivium has disclosed the significance of all words… do not need the help of a teacher in order to understand the meaning of books and to find the solutions of questions.

John of Salisbury 1120-1180

Our Framework for Teaching and Learning

Tom Sherrington Headteacher Highbury Grove School

@headguruteacher

‘Philosopher Kids’ from Martin Robinson, author Trivium 21st C.  

“Plato talked about the need for Philosopher Kings and Queens; at Highbury Grove we wish to enable our pupils to become ‘Philosopher Kids’.

Philosopher Kids are curious to know, question, and they can lead as well as follow. Philosopher Kids like to feel, to think, and are notable for their eloquence and ability to take part in the ‘great conversation’ through which they make a contribution to our common life.

Philosopher Kids engage thoughtfully in dialogue and argument, they appreciate and make beautiful things, they are confident when grappling with difficult ideas, they love music and also seek out space for quiet reflection and contemplation.

We challenge all our pupils to become cultural polymaths, true ‘renaissance people,' able to flourish both as individuals as well as realise that they have an important role to play in enabling their family, friends and community to flourish as well.”

Philosopher Kids: know; explore; communicate.

Grammar = Knowledge The direct transmission of knowledge and

explicit teacher instruction. Retention and recall: teaching for

memory; learning by heart; low stakes testing; knowledge for its own sake; repetition and practice.

Explicit teaching to build cultural capital; explicit teaching of subject-specific terminology and the skill of reading different texts.

 

Dialectic = Exploration Opportunities to debate, question

and challenge Opportunities for hands-on

authentic experience and experimentation

Opportunities for enquiry, analysis, critical evaluation and problem solving

 

Rhetoric = Communication A strong emphasis on structured

speech events to share and debate ideas with others.

Opportunities to perform, to make things and to showcase the products of learning

Opportunities to contribute to the discourse about the values shared in the school and the wider community.

Teaching and Learning Priorities for 2015/6 • Behaviour for Learning• Speaking: structured speech events and

routines• Literacy: explicit teaching of reading, writing

and subject specific language• Feedback policy and practice; making

feedback count, closing the gap• Explicit knowledge: what should be known;

how it should be learned• Assignments

 

15/04/2023 A Trivium for the 21st Century 23

Martin Robinson

Author: Trivium 21cTwitter: @SurrealAnarchyFacebook: Trivium21cWebsite: martinrobinson.net